That evening, Ariante and Swan went to bed early.

“All morning, wandering through the forest, and in the afternoon, playing tag. If Lady Peacock doesn’t raise my wages, I won’t work anymore. I’ll quit.”

Bainti, who had to run around the garden until she was almost about to collapse on the backs of Ariante and Swan, lay on the bed, stretching out her arms and legs without even combing her hair. Ibi also participated in the game of tag, but because Ibi had much better stamina than Bainti, she looked relatively intact.

“Why not let Ibi handle it and take a break?”

At Mayana’s words, Bainti, who was about to fall asleep as if her nose would touch the ground, suddenly raised her head.

“Kidding? If that had happened, would I have run until I vomited? Even when I said I would take a break for a round, Lady Peacock absolutely wouldn’t allow it. My goodness! What on earth is in that tiny body?”

Shaking her head vigorously, Bainti, who had collapsed onto the bed, said, “I raised a puppy when I was young, and Lady Peacock is exactly that puppy. What kind of dog keeps running around the mountains all day without getting tired?”

When Mayana, who was trying to close Bainti’s door, peeked through the crack in the door, Bainti, who was lying down, suddenly made a faint sound and began to snore. Mayana, who silently laughed, closed her door and turned back when Cediloy appeared between the doors.

“Surprise. Lord Duke, you almost made her scream.”

Mayana pretended to clutch her chest, and Cediloy chuckled.

“Surprisingly new to her.”

“When someone taller and bigger than herself suddenly stands behind her, anyone would be surprised.”

“That tall and big person is a bit tired now.”

Smiling faintly, he looked at Mayana. For a moment, Cediloy seemed like an ordinary peer rather than the lofty Duke. A facial expression that seemed eager to please, probably a expression shown only to Mayana.

Mayana said, “There’s something very nice to do at times like this.”

The apprentice chef, who was dozing off while leaning on the kitchen counter, was startled by the rattling sound and woke up.

“Wh-who’s there?”

“Shh, sorry. It’s Mayana.”

The apprentice chef, who had risen in tension, relaxed when Mayana, holding a lamp, smiled apologetically.

“What are you doing, Miss Mayana?”

“I’m making hot chocolate. I tried to be as quiet as possible, but I accidentally touched the dishes.”

The apprentice chef yawned and approached Mayana, who looked apologetic.

“Why all of a sudden hot chocolate? Lady Peacock can’t sleep?”

“No, it’s not for Lady Peacock. This is…”

Mayana, who blurred the end of her words for a moment, smiled faintly and clarified her gaze.
“I want to drink.”

“Come here, I’ll make it for you.”

“Is it okay? Thank you.”

The chef, who was about a head shorter than Mayana, yawned as the boiling chocolate began to rise. In the meantime, Mayana went to the storage room where ingredients were kept and brought a bottle of cherry-infused syrup.

“Can I add this?”

“Are you tired? Adding cherry syrup can help you sleep better.”

I am tired. Mayana thought. Not that I’m tired, though…

Even with drowsiness sticking to her eyelids, he quickly made a cup of warm chocolate. After expressing her gratitude, Mayana held it and quietly ascended the stairs to the western part.

As the 2nd Prince, Harman, and Cloph were still staying in the mansion, she carefully muffled her footsteps more than usual.

Ash already knows, but she didn’t want to reveal the relationship between Cediloy and herself to others.

Of course, if this were to be revealed, Cediloy would likely face the questioning siege, not her.

She opened the door after a light knock that seemed to be heard. Jemero, who usually sat in the living room until late, wasn’t seen today.

“This way.”

Cediloy’s voice came from the bedroom. Mayana, with sudden tension, moved her stiff neck in various directions and then entered his room with the most nonchalant expression possible.

“Really brought chocolate.”

As soon as she entered the room, Cediloy, who chuckled at the spreading sweet scent, spoke with a wry smile. Mayana carefully placed the cup on the table and stepped back.

“When you’re tired, drinking sweet and warm chocolate before going to sleep is the best.”

“Do I have to drink this to sit next to you?”

Mayana, widening her eyes, laughed with a kick, making a sound. She pulled out the chair on Cediloy’s left and sat with some distance.

“You didn’t even say to sit, how could I sit?”

After taking a sip of chocolate, Cediloy, placing the cup down, gazed at her. His ten fingers on the table slowly intertwined.

“Then let’s do it like this. From now on, you can sit next to me without me telling you to.”

Mayana stared at him. It was a strange gaze. Cediloy was the same. It seemed like she was dreaming, or on the contrary, it seemed like a person who had just awakened from a dream.